CBS News Poll Politics (10/27/10)

8/8/2019 CBS News Poll Politics (10/27/10)

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CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLL

For release: October 27, 20106:30 PM EDT

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Less Than a Week to Go

October 22-26, 2010

The Republicans maintain their lead in the House vote in this poll with a six-pointadvantage over Democrats. Independent voters continue to support Republicans overDemocrats by a large margin.

Anti-incumbent sentiment runs high. Four in five voters disapprove of Congress and asimilar percentage does not think most members deserve reelection.

Likely voters this year say they are willing to take a chance on a candidate who has littleprevious experience, but not on one who they see as too extreme.

More than half of voters say President Barack Obama will be a factor in their vote, andmore say theirs will be a vote against him rather than for him.

The Presidents approval rating remains below 50%, and more than half say he has noclear plan for creating jobs and has made little or no progress improving the economy.

The 2010 House Vote

With less than a week before voters go to the polls, Republicans continue to hold an edge in thegeneric ballot for the U.S. House of Representatives. 46% of likely voters plan to voteRepublican, while 40% say theyll vote for the Democratic candidate. 12% remain undecided.

2010 House Vote(Among likely voters)

Now 10/7/2010Republican 46% 45%Democrat 40 37Dont Know/Depends 12 16

The choice remains a partisan one among most Republicans and Democrats: more than eightin 10 of each plan to vote for a member of their own party. Republicans hold a substantial edgeamong independent voters: 47% will vote Republican and 32% Democratic. 17% ofindependents havent made up their minds.

2010 House Vote(Among likely voters)Total Reps Dems Ind

Republican 46% 85% 8% 47%Democrat 40 5 82 32Dont Know/Depends 12 7 9 17

When likely voters who lean toward a candidate are included, Republicans still hold a six pointlead over the Democrats, 49% to 43%.


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A little more than half of likely voters see this election as a referendum on Barack Obama, andmore are voting against the President than for him. Those voting Republican are particularlylikely to see their vote as against Obama, while less than half of those voting Democratic thinkof their vote as in support of the President.

Is Your 2010 House Vote?(Among likely voters) Total Voting VotingVoters Republican Democrat

For Obama 22% 3% 47%Against Obama 32 59 6About something else 42 35 46

The President has made recent campaign stops in Washington, California, and Nevada, but56% of voters say the Presidents support for a candidate wont affect their vote.

Just 14% of likely voters say the Presidents support for a candidate would make them morelikely to vote for him or her, while more voters 29% - say his support would make them lesslikely to do so.

Impact of Pres. Obamas Support for a Candidate on Your Vote(Among likely voters)Now 10/7/2010

More likely 14% 15%Less likely 29 31Wouldnt affect vote 56 52

There is widespread disapproval of how Congress is doing its job, and voters are not feelingvery forgiving of incumbents this year. Just 8% think most members of Congress deserve re-

election; 8 in 10 think its time to give someone new a chance.

Most likely voters feel the same way about their own representative in Congress. Just a thirdthinks their own representative deserves re-election; 58% think its time for someone new.Disillusionment with ones own representative is far higher now than it was right before the 2006midterm elections.

Do Members of Congress?(Among likely voters) Most Members Own RepresentativeNow 10/2006 Now 10/2006

Deserve re-election 8% 16% 34% 49%

Time for new person 80 69 58 42

Overall, 82% of likely voters disapprove of how Congress is handling its job.

Congressional Approval(Among likely voters)

Approve 10%Disapprove 82


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77% of liberals plan to vote Democratic, but they make up just about a fifth of likelyvoters this year. Moderates (35% of the electorate) also edge Democratic, butconservatives, who make up four in 10 likely voters, strongly favor Republicancandidates.

Six in 10 white evangelicals and eight in 10 Tea Party supporters favor Republicancandidates.

The coalitions that voted for Barack Obama and John McCain have mostly held togetherfor this midterm election. 76% of 2008 Obama voters plan to vote Democratic in thiselection, while 82% of McCain voters plan to vote Republican.

2010 House Vote Demographics(Among likely voters)

Voting VotingRepublican Democrat

Men 47% 39Women 45% 41

Age:18-44 43% 4345-64 48% 4065+ 49% 36

Republicans 85% 5Democrats 8% 82Independents 47% 32

Liberals 14% 77Moderates 33% 52Conservatives 73% 14

White evangelicals 60% 25Tea Party supporters 83% 7

2008 Presidential Vote:Obama 13% 76McCain 82% 6

Assessments of the President

Americans are divided in their views of the job President Obama is doing: 45% approve, while47% disapprove. The Presidents approval rating has been below 50% since the spring.

President Obamas Overall Job RatingNow 10/7/10 9/2010 8/2010 5/2010 4/2010

Approve 45% 44% 45% 48% 47 51%Disapprove 47 45 47 44 43 39

The Presidents job performance is viewed positively by most in his own party, but among thekey group of independents, just 36% approve of the job he is doing. Most Republicansdisapprove.


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President Obamas Overall Job Rating by Party IDAll Reps Dems Inds

Approve 45% 10% 82% 36%Disapprove 47 86 13 51

In addition, 54% of Americans are very or somewhat disappointed with his presidency so far,while 45% are satisfied. Most Democrats are satisfied, but a majority of Republicans andindependents are disappointed.

Feelings About Barack Obamas Presidency So FarAll Reps Dems Inds

Satisfied 45% 13% 78% 35%Disappointed 54 86 21 63

Despite these mixed approval ratings and disappointment, 56% of Americans are optimisticabout the next two years with Barack Obama in the White House, and just 37% are pessimistic.Still, the percentage that is optimistic has dropped during the course of his presidency.

Feelings About Next Two Years with Obama as PresidentNow 1/2010 2/2009

Optimistic 56% 62% 77%Pessimistic 37 33 18

The President and the Economy

There are also negative assessments of the current state of the country. Three in fourAmericans think the economy is in bad shape, and just 25% think it is improving. 34% think thecountry is headed in the right direction, while 61% think it is off on the wrong track.

36% of Americans say the condition of the economy is worse than they expected it to be at this point inBarack Obamas presidency, and 50% disapprove of the way he is handling the issue. While thePresidents ratings on the economy have improved since earlier this month, more Americans continueto disapprove than approve of the job he is doing addressing the issue; this has been the case sinceMay of this year.

President Obamas Job Approval Handling the EconomyNow 10/7/10 9/2010 8/2010 7/2010 10/2009

Approve 42% 38% 41% 44 40 54%Disapprove 50 50 51 48 54 38

In addition, 53% do not think the President has a clear plan for creating jobs, while fewer - 42%- think he does. More than half (55%) say he has made little or no progress in improving theeconomy.

Progress Barack Obama has Made Improving the EconomyA lot 7%Some 35Not much 27None 28


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Should Obama & Reps Compromise?(Among likely voters)

All voters RepublicansRepublicans should compromise 75% 66%Obama should compromise 71% 79%

Similarly, three in four voters think Democrats in Congress should compromise.

But cynicism about politicians motives pervades the country. Three in four registered votersthink Republicans oppose legislation mainly for political reasons, not principles, and almost thesame number feel that way about Democrats motives when they stand against legislation.

Republicans have Opposed Democrats Mainly for(Among registered voters)

Honest disagreements 17%Political reasons 75

Democrats have Opposed Republicans Mainly for(Among registered voters)

Honest disagreements 19%Political reasons 72

Expectations for a Republican Congress

More than eight in ten likely voters believe that if elected, Republicans in Congress would try torepeal the new health care law, and two-thirds think the Republicans would try to make the 2001Bush tax cuts permanent for upper income Americans. Fewer, though, expect a RepublicanCongress would work with the President.

If Elected, Would Republicans Try to?

(Among likely voters)Yes No

Repeal health care reform 84% 8Keep 01 tax cuts 66% 21Work with Pres. Obama 47% 47

Overall, likely voters are split over what should be done about the new health care law; 47%want it repealed, and 43% favor leaving it alone.

The 47% who want it repealed are voting Republican this year by a 79%-11% margin. Thosewho want to allow the law to remain as it is are voting Democratic by a similarly lopsidedmargin.

New Health Care Law Should(Among likely voters)

2010 Congressional VoteVoters Dem Rep

Be repealed 47% 11% 79Stand as is 43 75% 14

Voters are split as to whether divided government, with different parties in control of thePresidency and Congress, is better or worse for the country.


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Campaign Finance

In the wake of a Supreme Court ruling this year that drastically changed the way corporationsand advocacy groups can raise and spend money for elections, Americans remain firmly insupport of both spending limits and full disclosure. Nearly six in 10 think it is very important thatthe amount of money campaigns can spend be limited. Even more - eight in 10 - think it is veryimportant that campaigns be required by law to disclose how much money they have raised,where that money came from, and how they have spent it.

Campaign Finance: How Important is?Spending Limits Full Disclosure

Very important 58% 81%Somewhat important 28 11Not too/not at all important 9 6

Under current law, groups not affiliated with a candidate are able to spend unlimited amounts ofmoney on advertisements during a political campaign. Most Americans including mostRepublicans, Democrats, and independents think this spending should be limited by law.

Should Campaign Spending on Advertisingby Unaffiliated Groups Be Limited?

Total Reps Dems IndsYes 72% 68% 75% 73%No 20 28 14 20

Social Security

It was recently announced that people who receive Social Security payments will not get anincrease in the amount they receive in 2011 because the cost of living hasnt risen very muchthis year. Most Americans disapprove of this decision, especially those who live in households

where someone receives Social Security benefits.

Social Security Recipients Not Getting an Increase in 2010All Receive Social Security

Approve 38% 25%Disapprove 57 68

In general, 45% Americans think people who receive Social Security benefits should get anincrease each year, and 56% of Social Security recipients agree.

The public opposes two possible options that could help contain the costs of the Social Securityprogram: reducing benefits for future retirees and raising the retirement age.

An overwhelming seven in 10 Americans oppose reducing Social Security benefits for futureretirees in order to keep Social Security afloat. 54% are against raising the age at which aperson can retire and receive full Social Security benefits, but 42% support the idea.

If Necessary to Keep Social Security Solvent, Would youFavor Oppose

Reducing benefits for future retires 23% 71Raise retirement age 42% 54


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Americans across all age groups disapprove of reducing future benefits as well as raising theretirement age. And majorities of Democrats and Republicans oppose both of these measuresas well.

__________________________________________________________________________

This poll was conducted among a random sample of 1,173 adults nationwide, interviewed by telephoneOctober 22-26, 2010. An oversample of African Americans was interviewed, for a total of 273 interviews withAfrican Americans. Phone numbers were dialed from RDD samples of both standard land-lines and cellphones. The error due to sampling for results based on the entire sample could be plus or minus threepercentage points. The sampling error could be plus or minus six percentage points for the African Americansample. The error for subgroups is higher. This poll release conforms to the Standards of Disclosure of theNational Council on Public Polls.


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CBS NEWS/NEW YORK TIMES POLLLess than a Week to GoOctober 21-26, 2010

q1 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ***** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a% % % % %

Approve 45 10 82 36 44Disapprove 47 86 13 51 45DK/NA 8 4 5 13 11

q2 Do you feel things in this country are generally going in the right direction or doyou feel things have pretty seriously gotten off on the wrong track?

Right direction 34 9 64 21 32Wrong track 61 88 29 74 63DK/NA 5 3 7 5 5

q3 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling the economy?

Approve 42 12 75 32 38Disapprove 50 83 15 59 50DK/NA 8 5 10 9 12

q4 Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?

** LIKELY VOTERS ***** Party ID ***

Total Rep Dem Ind Oct10a*% % % % %

Approve 10 5 19 7 18Disapprove 82 89 71 86 71DK/NA 8 6 10 7 11Trend is among total respondents.

q5 Do you think the future of the next generation of Americans will be better, worse, orabout the same as life today?


Total Rep Dem Ind May10c% % % % %

Will be better 22 11 34 18 20Worse 51 70 33 53 50

About the same as life tod 23 16 30 21 25DK/NA 4 3 3 8 5

q6 How would you rate the condition of the national economy these days? Is it very good,fairly good, fairly bad, or very bad?

Oct10aVery good 0 0 1 0 1Fairly good 21 9 33 17 18Fairly bad 45 43 46 47 43Very bad 33 48 20 34 37DK/NA 1 0 0 2 1


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q7 Do you think the economy is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?



Better 25 13 41 17 22Worse 28 43 11 35 27Same 46 43 46 47 50DK/NA 1 1 2 1 1

q9 How likely is it that you will vote in the 2010 election for Congress this November would you say you will definitely vote, probably vote, probably not vote, or definitelynot vote in the election for Congress?

** REGISTERED VOTERS ***** Party ID ***


Definitely vote 73 78 74 68 74Probably vote 18 13 19 21 20Probably not vote 3 3 3 3 4Definitely not vote 2 1 1 4 2Already voted (vol.) 4 4 2 5 0DK/NA 0 1 1 0 0

q10 How much attention have you been able to pay to the 2010 election campaign -- a lot,some, not much or no attention so far?



A lot 54 64 47 51 46Some 34 30 39 33 36Not much 9 5 10 12 15No attention 2 1 3 3 3DK/NA 1 0 1 1 0

q11 If the 2010 election for U.S. House of Representatives were being held today, wouldyou vote for the Republican candidate or the Democratic candidate in your district?

Republican 46 85 8 47 45Democratic 40 5 82 32 37Other (Vol.) 2 2 1 4 2Won't vote (Vol.) 0 1 0 0 0

Depends (Vol.) 6 4 4 9 7DK/NA 6 3 5 8 9


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q12 Well as of today, do you lean more toward the Republican candidate or more toward theDemocratic candidate?


Total Rep Dem Ind% % % %

Republican 49 89 9 50Democratic 43 7 86 36Other (vol.) 3 2 1 5Won't Vote (vol.) 0 1 0 0Depends (vol.) 3 1 2 6DK/NA 2 0 2 3

q13 Compared to previous Congressional elections, this year are you more enthusiasticabout voting than usual, or less enthusiastic?

Oct10a%

More enthusiastic 52 63 43 48 50

Less enthusiastic 31 23 37 33 30Same (vol.) 16 12 19 18 18DK/NA 1 2 1 1 2

q14 Do you think the representative in Congress from your district has performed his orher job well enough to deserve re-election, or do you think it's time to give a newperson a chance?

Sep10bDeserves re-election 34 25 46 29 36Time for new person 58 66 45 63 53Depends on candidates (vol.) 3 4 2 3 4DK/NA 5 5 7 5 7

q15 Do you think most members of Congress have done a good enough job to deserve re-election, or do you think it's time to give new people a chance?

Deserve re-election 8 2 18 5 12Time for new people 80 92 64 84 78Depends on candidates(vol.) 8 4 13 7 7DK/NA 4 2 5 4 3

q16 Do you think of your vote for Congress this fall as a vote for Barack Obama, a voteagainst Barack Obama, or don't you think of your vote this fall as being about BarackObama?

Vote for Obama 22 4 50 13 21

Vote against Obama 32 58 7 33 27Obama not a factor 42 35 42 50 47Won't vote (vol.) 0 1 0 0 0DK/NA 4 2 1 4 5


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q17 Do you think of your vote for Congress this fall as a vote to help put Republicans incontrol of Congress, a vote to help keep Democrats in control of Congress, or will yourvote be about something else?


Total Rep Dem Ind Sep10b% % % % %

Put Reps in 28 59 4 22 25Keep Dems in 27 3 62 14 26Something else 43 35 32 61 45Won't vote (Vol.) 0 1 0 0 0DK/NA 2 2 2 3 4

q18 Do you think it is better for the country to have a president who comes from the samepolitical party that controls Congress or do you think it is better to have a presidentfrom one political party and the Congress controlled by another?

** REGISTERED VOTERS ** Oct08d

Better when same party 36 23 61 23 36Better when different part 37 47 21 46 41DK/NA 27 30 18 31 23

q19 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting forsomeone from a different political party than you usually support, or are you not morewilling to take a chance this year?

** LIKELY VOTERS **Willing to take chance 46 43 37 60Not more willing 47 50 59 32DK/NA 7 7 4 8

q20 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting forsomeone whose views on major issues you disagree with, or are you not more willing totake a chance this year?

Willing to take chance 18 20 13 21Not more willing 79 76 84 77DK/NA 3 4 3 2

q21 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting forsomeone who has little previous political experience, or are you not more willing to takea chance this year?

Willing to take chance 59 68 44 67Not more willing 35 27 51 28

DK/NA 6 5 5 5

q22 This year, are you more willing than in past years to take a chance on voting forsomeone whose views on some issues seem extreme, or are you not more willing to take achance this year?

Willing to take chance 28 32 17 35Not more willing 65 58 80 57DK/NA 7 10 3 8


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q23 Are you generally optimistic or pessimistic about the next two years with BarackObama as president?


Total Rep Dem Ind Jan10b*% % % % %

Optimistic 56 29 83 50 62Pessimistic 37 64 12 42 33DK/NA 7 7 5 8 5*Related Trend: the next three years

q24 In general which comes closest to your feelings about the Obama presidency so far Would you say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat disappointed or verydisappointed?

Very satisfied 13 1 24 11Somewhat satisfied 32 12 54 24Somewhat disappointed 25 30 16 30Very disappointed 29 56 5 33

DK/NA 1 1 1 2

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q27 How much of the time do you think you can trust the government in Washington to dowhat is right -- just about always, most of the time, or only some of the time?

Oct10a%

Always 2 1 2 4 1Most 19 6 34 14 17Some 67 77 61 66 73Never (vol.) 11 15 3 15 8DK/NA 1 1 0 1 1

q28 If you had to choose, would you rather have a smaller government providing fewerservices, or a bigger government providing more services?

Sep10bSmaller govt, fewer services 55 79 30 63 48Bigger gov, more services 36 15 60 29 41Depends (vol.) 4 4 5 3 6DK/NA 5 2 5 5 5

q29 How important is reducing government spending to you -- is it the single mostimportant issue, or it is important but so are other issues, or is it not important toyou?

Single most important 21 30 12 23Important but so are other 66 63 68 67Not important 9 5 15 6DK/NA 4 2 5 4


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q30 If you had to choose, which ONE of the following programs would you be willing toreduce in order to cut government spending -- education, national security, health care,or Social Security and Medicare?



Education 7 9 5 6National security 29 14 40 30Health care 25 43 8 27Social Security & Medicare 13 15 16 9DK/NA 26 19 31 28

q31 Thinking back to when Barack Obama took office, is the condition of the nationaleconomy today better than you expected it would be at this point in his presidency, worsethan you expected it would be, or about what you expected it would be?

Better 11 4 17 10Worse 36 57 19 37

About expected 51 39 61 51DK/NA 2 0 3 2

q32 Which comes closer to your view? 1. The current economic downturn is temporary andeventually the economy will fully recover, OR 2. The current economic downturn is part ofa long-term permanent decline and the economy will never fully recover.

Aug10b*%

Temporary downturn 68 57 79 66 59Permanent and won't recover 28 38 18 29 37DK/NA 4 5 3 5 4*Asked with intro: Thinking more generally about the U.S. economy, which comes closer toyour view?...

q33 Who do you think is mostly to blame for the current state of the nation's economy --1. the Bush administration, 2. the Obama administration, 3. Wall Street and financialinstitutions, 4. Congress, or 5. someone else?

Sep10bBush administration 30 9 51 23 37Obama administration 8 14 4 7 5Wall Street and financial 22 25 22 21 21Congress 13 20 5 17 11Someone else 8 11 3 10 8All of the above (vol.) 7 9 2 10 4Combination (vol.) 11 11 10 11 11

DK/NA 1 1 3 1 3

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q35 In general, is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable or not favorable?



Favorable 41 78 13 41 36Not favorable 52 20 79 50 53DK/NA 7 2 8 9 11

q36 In general, is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable or not favorable?

Favorable 46 12 83 34 42Not favorable 48 85 12 57 47DK/NA 6 3 5 9 11

q37 Is your opinion of Barack Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or havent youheard enough about Barack Obama yet to have an opinion?

Oct10a

Favorable 40 8 74 31 39Not favorable 36 69 7 42 36Undecided 18 15 18 22 17Haven't heard enough 4 7 1 4 6Refused 2 1 0 1 2

q38 Is your opinion of Michelle Obama favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't youheard enough about Michelle Obama yet to have an opinion?

Aug10bFavorable 41 19 64 35 45Not favorable 15 31 3 14 11Undecided 17 25 10 18 22Haven't heard enough 24 19 21 30 19Refused 3 6 2 3 3

q39 Is your opinion of Nancy Pelosi favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't youheard enough about Nancy Pelosi yet to have an opinion?

Oct10aFavorable 15 4 28 9 14Not favorable 43 72 16 49 39Undecided 15 9 23 13 19Haven't heard enough 25 16 29 28 27Refused 2 0 4 1 1

q40 Is your opinion of John Boehner favorable, not favorable, undecided, or haven't you

heard enough about John Boehner yet to have an opinion?

Favorable 7 17 1 6 7Not favorable 14 12 17 14 14Undecided 16 15 18 13 18Haven't heard enough 60 55 59 65 59Refused 3 1 5 2 2


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q41 Do you think Barack Obama does or does not have a clear plan for creating jobs?



Does 42 14 71 35 38Does not 53 83 23 59 53DK/NA 5 3 6 6 9

q42 If Barack Obama supported a candidate for political office in your area, would thatmake you more likely to vote for that candidate, less likely to vote for that candidate,or wouldn't it affect how you voted one way or another?

** LIKELY VOTERS ** Oct10aMore likely 14 3 33 5 15Less likely 29 54 3 29 31Wouldn't affect vote 56 42 63 64 52DK/NA 1 1 1 2 2

q43 How much progress has Barack Obama made in making health care affordable for allAmericans -- a lot, some, not much or none at all?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **A lot 12 4 20 8Some 35 18 50 31Not much 22 26 17 23None at all 25 46 3 31DK/NA 6 6 10 7

q44 How much progress has Barack Obama made in improving the nation's economy -- a lot,some, not much or none at all?

A lot 7 0 14 5Some 35 15 55 30Not much 27 31 21 30None at all 28 53 5 33DK/NA 3 1 5 2

q45 How much progress has Barack Obama made in ending the war in Iraq -- a lot, some, notmuch or none at all?


q46 How much progress has Barack Obama made in the war in Afghanistan -- a lot, some, notmuch or none at all?



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q47 Compared to the way the news media have treated other presidents, have the news mediabeen harder on Barack Obama, easier on Barack Obama, or have they treated him the sameas other presidents?


Total Rep Dem Ind Apr09b% % % %

Harder 25 9 40 22 18Easier 32 61 7 36 40The same 39 29 52 34 38DK/NA 4 1 1 8 4

q48 Why do you think the news media have been harder on Barack Obama than otherpresidents?

** THOSE WHO SAID HARDER IN Q47 **Hes black/his race 38People expect too much 15Economy/lack of jobs 8Blamed for problems from G.W. Bush 7

Media owned/influenced by Reps 6Don't like him(general) 4Hes a Democrat 2He is new/has new ideas 2Other 8DK/NA 10

q49 Compared to the way Republicans in Congress have treated other Democratic presidents,have the Republicans in Congress been harder on Barack Obama, easier on Barack Obama, orhave they treated him the same as other Democratic presidents?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS **Harder 41 24 52 42Easier 7 12 2 8The same 45 60 38 41DK/NA 7 4 8 9

q50 Why do you think the Republicans in Congress have been harder on Barack Obama thanother Democratic presidents?

** THOSE WHO SAID HARDER IN Q49 **Hes black/his race 23He is new/has new ideas 17Partisan politics 7Republicans want to be in power 7Hes a Democrat 4Economy/lack of jobs 4

People expect too much 3Different 3Want to see him fail 3Don't like him(general) 3Reps campaigning against him 3Blamed for problems from G.W. Bush 2Other 10DK/NA 11


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q51 Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or theDemocratic party is more likely to improve the health care system?


Total Rep Dem Ind Feb10a% % % % %

Republican party 28 61 4 26 27Democratic party 46 16 77 38 44Both (Vol.) 1 0 1 1 3Neither (Vol.) 11 13 3 17 15DK/NA 14 10 15 18 11

q52 Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or theDemocratic party is more likely to create new jobs?

Sep10b*Republican 39 75 10 41 38Democratic 37 9 68 27 44Both (vol.) 2 1 2 1 1

Neither (vol.) 8 7 4 12 8DK/NA 14 8 16 19 9*Trend is among registered voters

q53 Regardless of how you usually vote, do you think the Republican party or theDemocratic party is more likely to reduce the federal budget deficit?

Sep10b*Republican party 43 74 20 43 42Democratic party 32 11 59 21 34Both (vol.) 1 1 2 1 2Neither (vol.) 11 10 6 18 14DK/NA 13 4 13 17 8*Trend is among registered voters

q54 In general, when Republicans in Congress oppose legislation, is it mostly because ofan honest disagreement about policy or is it mostly for political reasons?

** REGISTERED VOTERS **Honest disagreement 17 24 10 18Political reasons 75 68 85 72DK/NA 8 8 5 10

q55 In general, when Democrats in Congress oppose legislation, is it mostly because of anhonest disagreement about policy or is it mostly for political reasons?

Honest disagreement 19 14 26 16

Political reasons 72 79 64 73DK/NA 9 7 10 11

q56-57 PLACEHOLDER


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q58 The Obama administration has proposed letting the tax cuts passed in 2001 expire forhouseholds earning about $250,000 a year or more. This would increase federal incometaxes for those people. Do you think this proposal is a good idea or a bad idea?



Good idea 48 23 70 45 53Bad idea 43 71 18 46 38DK/NA 9 6 12 9 9

q59 Do you think Congress should repeal the health care law that was passed in March, orshould they let it stand?

** LIKELY VOTERS **Repeal law 47 79 10 52Let stand 43 14 80 35DK/NA 10 7 9 13

q60 What if repealing the law meant that insurance companies were no longer required to

cover people with existing medical conditions or prior illnesses, then do you think thelaw should be repealed, or not?

Should be repealed 67 74 64 57Should not 25 22 34 28DK/NA 8 3 3 16

q61 If it were necessary to keep the Social Security program paying benefits as it doesnow, would you favor or oppose raising the age at which a person can retire and receivefull Social Security benefits?


Total Rep Dem Ind Jun05a% % % % %

Favor 42 40 41 43 30Oppose 54 54 56 53 67DK/NA 4 6 3 4 3

q62 If it were necessary to keep the Social Security program paying benefits as it doesnow, would you favor or oppose reducing Social Security retirement benefits for futureretirees?

Favor 23 27 20 22Oppose 71 69 74 68DK/NA 6 4 6 10

q63 Which comes closer to your view: People receiving Social Security benefits should getan increase each year because prices are always going up OR people receiving SocialSecurity benefits should get an increase only in years where prices have risensubstantially?

Increase every year 45 40 49 45Increase when prices have 51 56 49 49DK/NA 4 4 2 6


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q64 As you may know, Congress recently decided that people who receive Social Securitybenefits will not be getting an increase in 2011. Do you approve or disapprove of SocialSecurity recipients not getting an increase in 2011?



Approve 38 44 37 35Disapprove 57 50 56 62DK/NA 5 6 7 3

q65 PLACEHOLDER

q66 How much have you heard or read about the Republican "Pledge to America," whichoutlines the ideas of the Republicans in Congress a lot, some, not much or nothing atall?

A lot 8 10 5 10Some 24 36 21 19

Not much 29 24 33 29Nothing 35 30 35 40DK/NA 4 0 6 2

q67 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, doyou think they will try to repeal the health care law passed this year or won't they tryto repeal the health care law?



Will try 84 88 82 82Won't try 8 6 11 7DK/NA 8 6 7 11

q68 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, doyou think they will try to make permanent the tax cuts on households earning about$250,000 a year or more or won't they try to make those tax cuts permanent?

Will try 66 66 67 65Won't try 21 21 24 17DK/NA 13 13 9 18

q69 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, doyou think Barack Obama will try to work with Republicans in Congress in order to getthings done, or won't he?

Work with Republicans 69 48 94 65Not work with Republicans 27 47 4 30DK/NA 4 5 2 5

q70 If the Republicans win control of the U.S. House of Representatives in November, doyou think they will try to work with Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress in order toget things done, or won't they?

Work with Obama & Dems 47 65 31 45Not work with Obama & Dems 47 31 64 46DK/NA 6 4 5 9


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q78 If a political candidate said he or she was part of the Tea Party movement, wouldthat make you more likely to support that candidate, less likely, or wouldn't that make adifference to you?



More likely 15 30 1 13Less likely 29 7 57 23No difference 51 59 36 59Depends (vol.) 3 2 2 3DK/NA 2 2 4 2

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q81 What is your impression of how the war in Afghanistan is going for the United Statesright now -- very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly?

** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Sep10b

% % % % %Very well 3 2 4 1 2Somewhat well 35 38 42 25 36Somewhat badly 36 37 32 39 34Very badly 19 17 16 24 21DK/NA 7 6 6 11 7

q82 As you may know, Barack Obama has announced that he will begin bringing U.S. troopshome from Afghanistan starting in the middle of 2011. Do you think the U.S. should beginwithdrawing troops regardless of whether the war is going well, or do you thinkwithdrawal should only begin after the U.S. has made clear progress in winning the war?

Withdrawal should begin 53 28 71 53Only if progress made 42 67 26 38DK/NA 5 5 3 9

q83 Do you think race relations in the United States are generally good or generally bad?

Apr09bGood 61 60 63 60 66Bad 33 37 32 31 22DK/NA 6 3 5 9 12

q84 In general, who do you think has a better chance of getting ahead in today's society white people, black people, or do white people and black people have about an equalchance of getting ahead?

Apr10aWhite people 33 19 47 28 31Black people 4 5 2 6 4Equal 59 71 47 62 60DK/NA 4 5 4 4 5


24/25

24

q85 Do you favor or oppose allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military?Do you favor/oppose that strongly or not so strongly?



Favor strongly 46 27 59 46Favor not so strongly 16 20 13 15Oppose strongly 19 28 13 17Oppose not so strongly 9 16 5 9DK/NA 10 9 10 13

q86 blank

q87 When it comes to reforming the way political candidates raise and spend money, howimportant is it that the amount of money campaigns can spend be limited -- veryimportant, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?

Very important 58 55 61 57

Somewhat important 28 33 23 30Not too important 5 5 5 6Not important at all 4 6 3 4DK/NA 5 1 8 3

q88 How important is it that campaigns be required by law to disclose how much money theyhave raised, where that money came from, and how they have spent the money -- veryimportant, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?

Very important 81 80 84 79Somewhat important 11 14 7 12Not too important 4 2 3 5Not important at all 2 4 1 1DK/NA 2 0 5 3

q89 Currently, groups not affiliated with a candidate are able to spend unlimited amountsof money on advertisements during a political campaign. Do you think this kind ofspending should be limited by law, or should it remain unlimited?

Should be limited 72 68 75 73Should remain unlimited 20 28 14 20DK/NA 8 4 11 7

q90 blank

q91 Compared to two years ago, is your family's financial situation better today, worsetoday, or about the same?

Oct10a%

Better today 12 13 13 10 11Worse today 42 47 33 47 43About the same 45 39 53 42 45DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1


25/25

q92 How concerned are you that in the next 12 months you or someone else in yourhousehold might be out of work and looking for a job very concerned, somewhatconcerned, or not concerned at all?



Very concerned 36 39 32 38 35Somewhat concerned 26 24 26 27 29Not at all concerned 38 37 42 34 36DK/NA 0 0 0 1 0

q93 How concerned are you that in the next 12 months you will lose your home to evictionor foreclosure -- very concerned, somewhat concerned, or not concerned at all?

Very concerned 14 15 9 20Somewhat concerned 13 11 15 13Not at all concerned 72 74 76 66DK/NA 1 0 0 1

q94 In the last 3 years, have you or has someone you know been threatened withforeclosure or eviction for not paying the mortgage or rent, or not?IF YES, ASK: Did that result in the loss of the home, or not?

Yes, lost home 26 26 24 29Yes, didn't lose home 15 17 13 15No 57 55 62 52DK/NA 2 2 1 4

q95 Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or not?

Yes 24 45 5 25 18No 63 44 78 62 63DK/NA 13 11 17 13 19

q96 Do you or does anyone in your household receive Social Security payments, or not?

Yes 37 30 42 37No 63 70 58 62DK/NA 0 0 0 1

Sample sizes:

UNWEIGHTED WEIGHTEDTotal Respondents 1173Total registered voters 1073 975

Total likely voters 1055Effective likely voters 463

Total Republicans 297 329 (28%)Total Democrats 479 433 (37%)Total Independents 397 411 (45%)

Total Registered Republicans 281 302 (31%)Total Registered Democrats 445 347 (36%)Total Registered Independents 347 326 (33%)

Documents

CBS News Poll Politics (10/27/10)